Damon Johnson

Damon Johnson is a native Birmingham, AL musician. Some of Johnson's early ventures were playing guitar for the bands Split the Dark and Witness, After finding minimal success, Johnson formed the four-piece rock band, Chyld, in his home state of Alabama in 1990. After working with different lead singers and acquiring a development deal with Virgin Records in November of that year, it was when a record company rep heard Johnson sing a few cover songs that he was convinced that Damon should become the lead vocalist and frontman. A name change to Brother Cane would find the band in the Record Plant Studios in Los Angeles in the summer of 1992. Brother Cane went on to record 3 albums for Virgin: Brother Cane, Wishpool and Seeds. Each of these albums produced a Number One single on the Rock charts: "Got No Shame", "Fools Shine On", and "I Lie in the Bed I Make", respectfully. "Fools Shine On" was also chosen as the theme song for the movie "Halloween 6". After 6 years of recording and touring, Brother Cane amicably disbanded at the end of 1998.

At the start of the new millineum, Johnson recorded and released an all-acoustic solo album, Dust. He became, briefly, a member of the Damn Yankees with Ted Nugent, Jack Blades, Tommy Shaw, and Michael Cartelone (a full album was recorded but ultimately shelved). In March of 2001, Fleetwood Mac vocalist Stevie Nicks recorded the Damon Johnson composition, "Everyday" (co-written with John Shanks) as the first single for her solo album, Trouble In Shangrila. Later that same year, Damon became lead guitarist for the great British rock vocalist, John Waite.

Early 2002 brought the debut album from Slave To The System, a side-project of Damon's with producer Kelly Gray and Queensryche drummer Scott Rockenfield. In August of that year, Johnson's distinctive guitar work was featured on country/pop superstar Faith Hill’s smash hit single, "Cry", a track produced by Damon’s Brother Cane co-writer, Marti Frederiksen. That same year also brought collaborations with Ted Nugent on his album, Craveman, and three songs with hard rockers Skid Row on their album, Thick Skin.

In 2003, Damon opened his own recording studio, Double Dragon Studios, located at his home just outside of Birmingham, Alabama. Using the new studio, he recorded and produced the band Red Halo, performing temporarily as lead singer and bassist. The results would be the debut album, Dead Man’s Vitamin. (Currently, Johnson fills strictly the producer role with the band as they prepare to release their second album). Double Dragon and Damon’s production have already been the choice of several other up and coming young artists: Medusa Stone, Universal Joint, Jivetrain, The Fairwell, and country music artist, Chris Scott.

Rock legend Alice Cooper came calling in August of 2004, and Damon became guitarist for his band. Cooper’s album, Dirty Diamonds, features Johnson’s playing and songwriting skills. As of August 2006, Johnson is currently touring with Alice Cooper.

External Links

damonjohnson.com